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Donald Penn Signing Solidifies Oakland Raiders Offensive Line

By Maurice Moton

Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) huddles with guard Gabe Jackson (66) and tackle Donald Penn (72) and running back Latavius Murray (28) in the third quarter against the Denver Broncosat Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) huddles with guard Gabe Jackson (66) and tackle Donald Penn (72) and running back Latavius Murray (28) in the third quarter against the Denver Broncosat Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Oakland Raiders will finalize a deal with left tackle Donald Penn at some point on Wednesday.

September 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tackle Donald Penn (72) blocks Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (91) during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tackle Donald Penn (72) blocks Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (91) during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Does this signing propel the Oakland Raiders offensive line to one of the best in the league? Pro Football Focus writer Nathan Jahnke seems to think so:

"Over the last two years, Donald Penn (84.5 overall grade in 2015) has been one of the better left tackles in football. In 13 of 16 games last year, he allowed two or fewer pressures. He has graded as an above-average run-blocker every season that PFF has graded him (since 2007).The move gives the Raiders the best offensive line on paper heading into the 2016 season."

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Many Raiders fans wanted to go young at left tackle, but re-signing Donald Penn makes the most sense even at age 32. There’s no excuse to allow an top 12 offensive tackle (as rated by Pro Football Focus) walk for a promising prospect. It’s proven talent over rookie hope. Note: Robert Gallery, who was the can’t-miss No. 2 pick out of Iowa in 2004.

Currently, the Raiders have the perfect mix between veteran experience and young talented linemen in the trenches, but there’s one caveat.

Offensive line coach Mike Tice must decide on whether to move Kelechi Osemele or Gabe Jackson to right guard where neither player holds experience. Rotoworld suggests Jackson will slide over to right guard. Of course, Tice could mix-and-match if he struggles switching sides.

Nonetheless, one of the two talented guards must excel at a new position to compare with the Dallas Cowboys offensive line as the best in the league.

September 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders offensive line coach Mike Tice (left) and head coach Jack Del Rio (right) during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at O.co Coliseum. The Bengals defeated the Raiders 33-13. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders offensive line coach Mike Tice (left) and head coach Jack Del Rio (right) during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at O.co Coliseum. The Bengals defeated the Raiders 33-13. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Penn’s signing certainly allows the Raiders to breathe a bit as far as drafting an immediate replacement on the blindside. There’s more flexibility going forward. The upcoming draft is loaded with talented offensive tackles. The front office should select Penn’s eventual replacement, but wait until the second round to do so.

Where’s the focus? Maximizing production behind an improved protection up front.

As previously mentioned, Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott paired with running back Latavius Murray would complete a dream scenario.

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The offense wouldn’t solely rely on the passing attack to win games. A playoff team can beat the opposition in multiple ways. A versatile tandem in the backfield balances the offense, allows the team to win low-scoring contests and move the ball in inclement weather.

Penn will likely man the blindside position for another two solid seasons before his decline yields an opening for the next young talent. Oakland must take advantage of one the most talented offensive lines assembled in the league by punishing the opposition with a ground attack equipped to close out games in the fourth quarter.

The free-flowing passing attack looks smooth and graceful when choreographed to perfection, but sometimes teams must pull out critical wins with brute force—lower the pads and move the line of scrimmage behind the offensive line and quick-striking running backs.

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